Table of Contents
Emergency lighting is a requirement for all commercial buildings under UK law, specifically mandated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
In commercial properties where a large number of people may be present at any given time, emergency backup lighting provides illumination during power outages and emergencies, such as fires, and helps guide the occupants of the building to safety. These lighting systems help prevent accidents and ensure a safe and orderly evacuation of the premises.
There are different types of emergency lighting solutions designed to meet the different requirements of commercial spaces, from small offices to huge industrial buildings. Out of all, emergency LED lighting has emerged to the top due to its numerous advantages.
At Calder Electrical Services, we specialise in the design, installation, and testing of emergency LED lighting that meets both fire safety and commercial lighting regulations. Read on to find out all about emergency LED lighting installation for commercial buildings, what makes LED lighting the best option for emergency lighting, and how to ensure that all the exit routes of a commercial property are safe and well-lit during emergencies:
When it comes to the safety and protection of the occupants of a commercial building, several key factors come into play. These include providing a safe environment for everyone on the property, safeguarding them against safety and security threats, and minimising the level of risk that endangers their wellbeing.
To ensure all these safety and security parameters are met, there are certain legal regulations that ought to be followed by all commercial building owners. These regulations ensure that the best practices are followed in terms of overall safety and security.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is one of the primary regulations that govern the use, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting. The British Standards BS 5266 work in conjunction with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure there is proper and adequate emergency lighting to ensure the safety of the occupants. They offer guidance for the layout of emergency lighting in a commercial building and the minimum illuminance requirement.
According to BS 5266-1, emergency backup lighting must be able to operate for at least 3 hours following a mains power failure. In some instances, 1-hour fittings are also permissible, but only if the building will be immediately and completely evacuated in case of a power failure.
The Building Regulations 2006 (Approved Document B) also contain general requirements for fire safety in commercial buildings and the installation of emergency lighting to ensure safe evacuation in case of a fire or other safety/security hazard.
According to these regulations, a responsible person must be appointed to ensure that all safety and security measures are in place. This includes choosing the best type of emergency lighting and having it installed most efficiently. Their responsibility also includes conducting regular inspections and maintenance tests of the emergency lighting systems to ensure optimal performance and compliance with electrical safety standards.
Emergency lighting systems are an important part of a building’s safety. Their primary purpose is to provide adequate illumination in emergencies and to ensure that the safety exits and evacuation routes are visible and accessible for all occupants of the building.
Emergencies such as fires and power failures tend to create panic and confusion. The absence of proper illumination adds to the frenzy and can lead to accidents and injuries. In such situations, the presence of emergency backup lighting ensures that there is adequate illumination to help the occupants of the building evacuate the premises without any confusion or delays.
Emergency backup lighting is critical in commercial properties and multi-storey buildings where escape routes and emergency exits can be complex and are a requirement of the law. Failure to comply with emergency lighting regulations can result in fines and penalties and can even invalidate insurance policies. In serious cases where non-compliance results in deaths, it may even lead to imprisonment.
Other than the risk of facing stiff financial penalties and jail time, the reasons emergency lighting installation is a critical aspect of a commercial building’s safety is that it ensures that the occupants have the best possible chance of a safe evacuation in critical situations, order is maintained during emergencies, and emergency responders can easily carry out their duties without any added hindrances.
There are several types of emergency lighting solutions available for commercial properties. Choosing the right solution depends on various factors, including the size and layout of the building and the specific safety requirements.
Out of all the different options, emergency LED lighting systems have become one of the most popular solutions for providing continuous lighting during emergencies and ensuring that all the escape routes and emergency exits are well-lit and easily accessible.
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and is one of the most rapidly developing technologies in the lighting industry. LED lights use solid-state lighting technology, or SSL, that emits light when current passes through a solid piece of matter, which, in the case of a traditional LED, is a semiconductor.
Emergency LED lights are designed to automatically turn on during emergencies, and they generally feature a dual power source – the main power supply and a backup battery. This ensures that in case of a power outage, they are ready to use and can switch to the backup battery in case the main power supply is suspended. In most cases, the backup battery can power the emergency lights for 90 minutes, which is more than enough for a safe and quick evacuation.
Known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and reliable performance, LED lights are an excellent choice for emergency lighting designed to provide bright and consistent illumination during emergencies such as power outages and fires. All these features, among others, make them a top choice for ensuring safety and compliance during such situations.
LED lights have taken over the lighting industry and are replacing traditional halogen and incandescent bulbs in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. They are the ideal choice for emergency lighting as they are incredibly efficient and can easily integrate into an emergency lighting system.
The effectiveness of emergency lighting systems plays a significant role in how safe and quick the evacuation process will be. This makes them an important part of a building’s safety and in reducing the risk of accidents and injuries in low-light conditions.
This makes choosing the right type of emergency lighting for your commercial property extremely critical. LEDs offer numerous advantages over other types of lights, and here are all the reasons they should be your number one choice for emergency lights in commercial buildings:
LEDs consume significantly less power than traditional bulbs and are one of the most energy-efficient lighting solutions on the market. They use around 80 to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and approximately 60% less energy than fluorescent lighting.
In the case of emergency lighting, this is an important factor to consider as the level of efficiency will ensure that the lights will remain operational for extended periods without draining the backup battery. This is particularly important for large commercial buildings where multiple emergency LED lights may be used at any given time.
LED technology is known for its exceptional durability and longevity. With an average lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours, LEDs often last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This longevity translates to much fewer replacements and reduced maintenance costs, both of which are critical in ensuring that the emergency lights remain functional when needed the most.
LED lights are also extremely durable and can withstand temperature fluctuations and shock much better than their counterparts, making them more resilient to harsh environmental conditions and demanding settings. In emergencies such as fires and natural disasters, their durability is what helps them stay functional.
Another reason to choose LED technology for emergency lighting systems is its level of brightness. Compared to other lighting options, LEDs are extremely versatile in lighting design as they can emit directed light and illuminate a large area, making them perfectly suitable for emergency lighting. The colour temperature of the lights can also be adjusted for better visibility in conditions such as fog and smoke.
In addition to that, LED lights operate at full brightness the moment they are switched on or activated, compared to other lighting types that require a warm-up time to achieve full brightness. This instant illumination is crucial during emergencies where every second counts and safe evacuation can be made possible without any chaos or confusion.
Proper installation of emergency LED lighting is an incredibly important aspect for ensuring that the system can perform effectively and efficiently and can be depended on in emergencies. LED lights can be installed in both new and existing buildings and can easily be integrated and retrofitted into existing LED-compatible emergency lighting setups.
The specific requirements regarding their location and placement depend on various factors such as the building size, type, layout, type and level of risk present, and the safety codes and regulations for emergency lighting in commercial buildings.
Careful planning is essential when installing emergency LED lights in commercial buildings. The best way to get an understanding of the requirement is to study the building layout and conduct a risk assessment which will help identify high-risk areas, potential hazards, and the most effective evacuation routes.
The placement of the lights must be strategic, and they must be installed in areas where they can be most effective and provide maximum visibility. Factors such as the space between the lights must be considered to eliminate any dark spots in between. The mounting height of the lights must also be appropriate in order to disperse the light effectively and ensure there are no obstacles in the way.
The number of emergency lights, the level of brightness, their ideal positioning, and their testing and maintenance schedules all must be determined and planned for in the planning process for maximum efficiency and to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards. All these factors are detrimental to ensuring that the emergency lights can be relied on during emergencies.
The best way to ensure compliance is to work with a professional electrician who possesses the necessary skill, knowledge, expertise, and experience. A professional will follow best practices when it comes to LED lighting installations and perform regular testing and routine checks to ensure all the lights are operational and comply with relevant safety standards and emergency lighting regulations.
Professionally installed and well-maintained emergency LED lighting can provide years of reliable performance and ensure safety in the face of emergencies. Some of the most common placements for emergency LED lighting installation include:
We have been providing electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties for over 40 years and are specialists in all aspects of electrical installations, maintenance, and testing.
If you wish to learn more about LED lights and the best lighting solutions for your property, Calder Electrical Services is here to help! From LED installation to upgrades, repairs, and troubleshooting, we offer a complete package for your homes and businesses, ensuring that everything complies with the latest electrical safety standards and regulations.
We are NICEIC registered, follow the current wiring regulations, and have experienced and fully qualified electrical engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service that includes emergency lighting installation and servicing.
Our LED lighting services include:
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 to talk to our experts for more information on emergency LED lighting installation for commercial buildings and the importance of emergency backup lighting in fire safety compliance and lighting regulations.
Photo by Lance Chang on Unsplash
